{"product_id":"sbd-dauntless-vs-a6m-zero-sen-pacific-theater-1941-44","title":"SBD Dauntless vs A6M Zero-sen: Pacific Theater 1941-44","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e The SBD Dauntless dive-bomber was a crucial weapon in the US Navy's Pacific War arsenal, despite its outdated appearance. It held its own against the feared A6M Zero-sen, claiming 138 aerial victories, including 107 fighters and 31 bombers. Seven SBD units achieved five or more aerial victories, with Lt(jg) John Leppla of VS-2 credited with four victories during the Battle of the Coral Sea. The Zero-sen became the world's premier carrier-based fighter, influencing Allied fighter pilots' standards. Despite the Zero-sen's reputation, the Dauntless proved elusive and deadly, thanks to the skill of its pilots and gunners. This book explores the history and development of these aircraft, including their combats during the first four carrier battles of 1942 and the Solomons Campaign. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e                                                            \u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e                              \u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 80 pages\u003cbr\u003e                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 28 October 2021\u003cbr\u003e                              \u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC\u003cbr\u003e                          \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe SBD Dauntless dive-bomber played a crucial role in the US Navy's aerial operations throughout the Pacific War, despite its classification as a mid-to-late 1930s design and dated appearance. Despite the introduction of more advanced aircraft from American factories, the SBD Dauntless remained a formidable adversary, particularly against the feared A6M Zero-sen. The SBD Dauntless achieved 138 aerial combat victories, with 107 of them being fighters and the rest bombers. Seven SBD units claimed five or more aerial victories, with future ace Lt(jg) John Leppla of VS-2 being credited with four victories while flying from the carrier USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. The Zero-sen became a symbol of Japan's military prowess during the early stages of the war in the Pacific, and it quickly became the world's premier carrier-based fighter. The psychological impact of the Zero-sen was so great that all Allied fighters were judged by the standards set by it. The aviators flying the A6M in 1941-42 were amongst the most experienced fighter pilots in the world, and they claimed a significant number of the SBDs destroyed while trying to defend their carriers from attack during the Battles of Coral Sea, Midway, and Santa Cruz in 1942. While the Zero-sen was credited with shooting down many SBDs, the rugged Douglas aircraft proved an elusive and deadly target thanks to the tenacity and skill of the pilots and gunners manning the aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e                            \u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 264g                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 185 x 248 x 17 (mm)                            \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781472846334                                                      \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Donald Nijboer","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44100343726330,"sku":"9781472846334","price":9.98,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/bed7cc50e8f58da51ddf2e79e17ba2ae.jpg?v=1635477163","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/sbd-dauntless-vs-a6m-zero-sen-pacific-theater-1941-44","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}